THE FELL-WALKER

A quadruple heart bypass hasn’t stopped Dave “Corky” Corkhill doing what he loves best on Christmas Day – walking 3,117ft up Helvellyn, England’s third-highest peak.

“Those days of wrapping until 3am and feeling a bit drunk by breakfast are gone,” says Corkhill, 69, a retired Royal Mail worker. Instead, he’s up when it’s still dark, pulling on warm walking gear, packing “coffee and a butty for up there” and setting off for the legendary Lake District peak, near his home in Kendal.

“The worst thing is getting up in the morning – especially after a bit of a session on Christmas Eve. But if it wasn’t fun, I wouldn’t do it,” he says.

“You never quite know what the weather is going to be like at the summit. I’ve climbed through thick cloud to come out and be in shirtsleeves weather, with a view over the top of cotton-wool clouds. Beautiful. And it’s also been much, much worse.

“One year it was snowing like mad and I did get worried as I went up with four workmates – one said he’d never been so scared. Another time, I did it in drag in aid of the British Heart Foundation. That was a bit chilly.

“I love the whole experience: having fun with your mates. Even if one year I’m on my own, the local pub is there for when I get down. Then home for a bath and dinner.”

Corkhill, a member of the South Lakes Walking Club, is usually not the only person at the summit. “Helvellyn, though it’s a high peak, is quite accessible. I’ll often meet other people up there on Christmas Day, and we’ll chat and share a snack. It’s companionable.”

Corkhill, who’s been climbing more than 20 years, is, however, considering a change to his plans this year. “I’ve never been bog snorkelling – it looks fun.”